Christa Myburgh

Christa Myburgh is a South African visual artist whose work is rooted in the exploration of the human form, emotion, and the dynamic relationship between figures and nature. She pursued her Fine Art studies at the University of Pretoria, where her fascination with life figure drawing began to take form under the mentorship of Carl Jeppe. This early passion for the human figure evolved into a lifelong pursuit, guiding the direction of her artistic career.

Following her academic journey, Christa Myburgh lectured in life figure drawing at the University of Technology in Bloemfontein, where she shared her technical expertise and conceptual insights with the next generation of artists. Her dedication to the foundational elements of art and the principles of design remains central to her practice. With a meticulous orchestration of colour, space, line, and movement, Myburgh creates evocative works that blend female portraits with organic elements such as flowers and foliage over soft, dreamlike backgrounds.

A distinctive aspect of Christa Myburgh’s work lies in her ability to layer and juxtapose floral and organic shapes with the female form. This compositional interplay fosters a visual language that bridges the foreground and background, allowing her figures to appear suspended—almost levitating—within the frame. Her surfaces become more than just canvases; they are emotional and dimensional realms where colour, texture, and space converge to convey narrative and mood.

Movement plays a critical role in her compositions. Deconstructed floral forms appear to explode or disintegrate from the figures, leading the viewer’s eye through a fluid journey of motion, colour, and emotion. These cascading elements create a dynamic tension that blurs the boundaries between the static and the dynamic, inviting the viewer to experience the artwork not just visually, but sensorially.

Christa Myburgh frequently features female figures—often incorporating the hands as symbolic tools of expression—to explore themes of identity, femininity, and resilience. As a single parent balancing the dual roles of motherhood and fatherhood, Myburgh finds in painting a pathway to reclaim and express her femininity. Her vibrant palettes reflect an enduring optimism and strength, embodying her positive outlook despite life’s complexities.

The notion of weightlessness and suspension is a recurring theme in her work. By painting against subtly blended, rainbow-hued backgrounds, she enhances the illusion of floating objects, fostering a dreamlike quality that draws the viewer into contemplation. These ethereal compositions allow each element to defy gravity, inviting personal interpretation and emotional engagement.

Christa Myburgh’s art has been recognized both locally and internationally. After relocating to Cape Town in 2015, she continued to focus on the human form, culminating in a solo exhibition in 2018.

She has also participated in several international exhibitions under the curatorship of The Traveling Art Gallery. These include group exhibitions in Berlin and Crailsheim (Germany, 2020), as well as in Weimar (Germany, 2021). Myburgh reflects that these global experiences have expanded her artistic perspective, offering opportunities to engage with diverse cultural expressions and contemporary trends.

Christa Myburgh is currently represented by The Artists Gallery in Cape Town. Her commitment to craftsmanship, emotional depth, and her signature integration of portraiture with natural elements continue to earn her recognition among collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide.